Eastbourne carnival 2015 raises thousands and is set to return in 2016

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Published:10:50Tuesday 30 June 2015

More than £4,000 was raised at the Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival in May with organisers saying it was the biggest and best to date.

Some 1,500 people took part in the seafront procession with cash raised from bucket collections being donated to 20 charity and voluntary organisations.

Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival 2015 SUS-150406-103319001

“We said it would be bigger and better in 2013 and 2014 and we were right and the 2015 Sunshine Carnival also exceeded all expectations,” said Dave Cooper, pageant master.

“We are still learning and tweaking things to continuously improve the event from an operational point of view but it is everyone who goes to so much trouble to prepare floats and costumes that really makes the carnival such a success.”

This year’s carnival, sponsored by Arndale Centre owners Legal & General, raised more than £4,000 and groups will be receiving their £200 cheques very soon.

“We have built the carnival from nothing and we couldn’t have achieved it without a key number of individuals and groups including Legal & General. Their sponsorship has been absolutely crucial and I really am very grateful for their ongoing support.

Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival 2015 SUS-150406-103434001

“I am also pleased to announce Stephen Lloyd, our former MP who was so instrumental in bringing back the wonderful Sunshine Carnival, has agreed to become president of the carnival going forward and will remain an active member of the carnival management committee.”

Stephen Lloyd said, “The Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival is a truly joyous event for the town so it’s an immense pleasure for me to accept the new role. It was really important when I set up the structure at the beginning that half the money raised would go into the pot for the following year to keep the whole carnival on a sustainable footing. Roll on Carnival 2016.”

Mr Cooper said the Carnival Management Team wanted to thank all of the marshals, radio systems operators, St John Ambulance, Sussex Police, Eastbourne Borough Council and everyone who had a hand in making it work on the day. Our thanks also to Eastbourne Pier and Barclay’s Bank for counting many thousands of coins from our buckets

“The good news is that there will be another carnival in 2016 and the management team is working with Eastbourne Borough Council to identify a date to be announced shortly.”

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